Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano has granted N10 million in compensation to the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, for his arrest and eviction from the palace.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had deposed Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, in May and ordered him to vacate the office within 48 hours.
Ado Bayero, who was not in Kano when the order was issued, returned and moved into a mini palace in Nasarawa.
In response, Governor Yusuf ordered his immediate arrest, prompting the Emir to take legal action against Yusuf’s decision.
Ado Bayero also requested the court to invalidate the law used by the governor to depose him and to reinstate Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The lawsuit included the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Attorney General of Kano State, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Police in Kano, the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigerian Navy.
In his judgment, the judge affirmed Ado Bayero’s right to move freely and reside anywhere in Kano or Nigeria.
However, the court did not order the eviction of Sanusi from the Gidan Rumfa palace.
Ibrahim Isa Wangida, counsel for the Kano state government and Sanusi, called the judgment a victory for the emir and his supporters since the court did not invalidate the law that reinstated Sanusi.
He mentioned consulting his client about possibly appealing the N10 million compensation ruling.
The decision also prevents the state government or any security personnel from infringing on the emir’s rights.
